Inside the AICPA's effort to enhance the skills of early-career CPAs

Early this month , the AICPA launched its Profession Ready Initiative . In this episode of the JofA podcast, Carl Mayes, CPA, the AICPA's vice president–CPA Candidate Quality and Competency, explained more about the initiative and why a rapidly changing workplace demands new skills from emerging and early-career CPAs. He discussed how automation, AI, and offshoring are reshaping entry-level work — and how Rise2040 research is informing the initiative. Listeners will learn how to get involved, what's planned for ENGAGE, and how the effort benefits both early-career professionals and experienced CPAs. What you'll learn from this episode: Why the AICPA launched the Profession Ready Initiative. How Rise2040 research informed the approach to improving entry-level CPA skills. The ways automation, AI, and offshoring are reshaping the first years of CPA careers — and what new competencies employers say they need as a result. The initiative's multifaceted approach, including research, new learning solutions, academic collaboration, and state-level engagement. Ways that CPAs, educators, and firms can participate. How the effort will benefit both early-career professionals and experienced CPAs.

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Inside the AICPA's effort to enhance the skills of early-career CPAs is an episode from Journal of Accountancy Podcast by AICPA & CIMA.

This episode is 13:21 long.

This episode was published on Feb 19, 2026.

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